Michigan Director of Development

Based in lower Michigan (Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor or
Detroit)

  Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and
waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based
organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our
world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which
people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by
our Values, which includes a
Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities,
and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules,
or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life
#insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our
TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on
Glassdoor.  

Founded in the U.S. in 1951, TNC is one of the most effective
and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. With
5,000+ staff (including more than 900 scientists) working in 77
countries and territories and all 50 United States, TNC
collaborates with partners from all sectors. We are dedicated to
bringing diverse voices to the table and fostering powerful
partnerships as we collaborate with government agencies,
policymakers, nonprofits, businesses, universities, Indigenous
communities and more to help ensure that conservation provides
tangible, equitable benefits to all.

Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC
staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for
our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

Sitting at the heart of the Great Lakes, the world’s largest
freshwater system, we have an important conservation responsibility
to the world.  And, as the world faces the climate and
biodiversity crises, TNC is urgently clearing obstacles, developing
breakthrough ideas, amplifying local leaders, and influencing
policy to find solutions to make the highest possible impact on
these crises between now and 2030. 

The Nature Conservancy has worked in Michigan for more than 60
years to protect the state’s cherished landscapes and develop sound
science to support benefits to people, nature and our economy. With
55 passionate and talented staff across the state, more than 32,000
supporting members in the state, this role offers a unique
opportunity to build fundraising strategies for key conservation
priorities in Michigan, driven by a robust conservation agenda for
the state, the region and The Nature Conservancy’s global 2030
goals (https://www.nature.org/priorities).
Our most recent capital campaign exceeded $100 million, and the
organization has now launched a global campaign in pursuit of its
ambitious 2030 goals.

But we don’t succeed alone. With time, tenacity and teamwork we
know that we can achieve conservation impact at scale, and work to
ensure the resilience of systems that provide Michiganders with
food and livelihoods, while protecting clean, abundant and
accessible water and a network of healthy, connected lands. 
As we work in partnership across Michigan, the Midwest and around
the world, you can be part of this vast network of committed TNC
colleagues and partners to achieve meaningful impact that will
shape our future. 

The Michigan Director of Development (DOD) plays a leading role
for the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy to preserve,
strengthen and grow a culture of philanthropy. The DOD leads a
comprehensive, top-in-class development program that secures
significant philanthropic resources from individuals, corporations,
and foundations to support The Nature Conservancy’s priorities in
Michigan and around the world. They have access to fundraising
expertise and best practices in the Midwest, nationally and
globally, and will lead and oversee a team that focuses on major
gift fundraising and outreach, including multi-year fundraising
campaigns, major (6 and 7-figure) gift fundraising, donor
prospecting, strategic communications, planned giving, research,
and stewardship. The DOD directs and manages a team of four, with
development operations support managed centrally in order to free
up the team to focus externally and place a major personal emphasis
on face-to-face fundraising. The DOD reports to the State Director
and works closely with the state director to manage the
philanthropic support and outreach conducted by a strong Michigan
Board of Trustees.

  We’re Looking for You:

The Michigan Director of Development (DOD) will work towards
meeting the priorities of The Nature Conservancy by expanding a
strategic, comprehensive development program that taps into the
entire range of development tactics and opportunities for all
donors and prospects in Michigan. They are a key leader within the
Chapter and serve on the Michigan Management Team.  They are
responsible for developing and communicating fundraising goals for
the Chapter and integrating their efforts with the overall
conservation strategy and direction of the Chapter. 

The DOD works in collaboration and advances strategic
relationships across the organization, including The Midwest
Division, Worldwide Office, other Conservancy programs, trustees
and donors, and conservation staff, to achieve Conservancy
goals.  They leverage constructive and effective relationships
with a wide range of people and conservation experts and work
closely with the State Director and Management Team to strengthen
and engage the Board of Trustees in fundraising, trustee
recruitment, and board management. The DOD recruits, develops, and
manages a staff of high-performing philanthropy professionals to
set and meet fundraising objectives, evaluate results, develop
effective strategies, and nurture effective team collaboration.

A primary responsibility of the DOD will be identifying,
cultivating, and managing a select portfolio of principal and major
donor prospects and trustee relationships as the Michigan chapter
implements a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Creating new
connections to increase philanthropic revenue in service of our
conservation vision, in addition to unlocking the full potential of
our existing donor base, will be critical. They will also be
responsible for presenting analysis and recommendations to the
Management Team and Board of Trustees. They understand and comply
with all Conservancy gift-related policies and procedures and
ensure ethical compliance, as defined by the Association of
Fundraising Professionals.

• Accountable for fundraising goals of over $7-10 million a year
  through a fundraising program, including outright gifts and pledges
  in support of the Michigan Chapter’s contributions to TNC’s global
  campaign, and divisional, regional, and global conservation
  priorities.
• Accountable for the Associate Directors of Development
  achieving their goals and outcomes.
• Broad management responsibility for a department of
  professional major gifts fundraisers of four or more, including
  recruitment, retaining, professional development, establishing
  clear directions, and setting “stretch” objectives.
• Responsible for developing and managing an efficient and
  effective partnership with the development operations team to
  support the work of the external focused major gifts fundraising
  team they manage.
• Design and direct complex and diversified projects,
  coordinating the work of other professionals, managing budget, and
  ensuring program accountability.
• Develop and administer budget and fundraising objectives,
  evaluates results, and develops corrective strategies as
  needed.
• Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile
  or sensitive agreements.
• Ensure that programmatic commitments, TNC policies and
  procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and
  managed for ethical compliance.
• Help to attract, develop, and retain the widely diverse range
  of talent among staff, trustees and donors critical to mission
  success, and support workplace climates that are fair and
  inclusive, where every staff member feels they belong and can offer
  their maximum contribution.
• Lead strategic initiatives through collaboration with
  senior-level stakeholders to enhance overall performance in
  accordance with short and long-term objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and
  emotionally charged information.
• Make strategic decisions; decisions made may have program-wide
  impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
• Plan and lead new programs/initiatives that will ensure
  department and organization-wide goals are achieved.
• Responsibility and accountability for meeting strategic goals
  and objectives.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, or
  equivalent, including experience working at a senior level.
• Experience asking for and closing major gifts.
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships
  with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations,
  and corporations.
• Experience in planning and delivering budgetary
  responsibilities.
• Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary
  team.
• Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit
  environment.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles,
  practices, and procedures of relevant field.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can
believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends
on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the
most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the
world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists,
and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact
conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive
benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending
accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave,
accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage,
employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing
benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the
Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of
the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we
employ!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of
all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

Salary Information:

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value
proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive
pay and base salaries on the geographic location of the role
committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring
salary ranges when possible.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this
position is generally within the range of $120,500 – $160,000 for
annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose
country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s
actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety
of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location,
qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note
countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the
local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA
pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during
the recruitment.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity
Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the
recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the
leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds,
beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an
inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a
priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races,
colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages,
disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities,
military, protected veteran status or other status protected by
law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified
individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job
application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due
to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with
Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Please apply to Job #55315 at www.nature.org/careers.
 Submit required cover letter and resume separately using the
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to complete required fields may result in your application being
disqualified from consideration. If you experience technical
issues, please contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity
Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the
recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the
leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds,
beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an
inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a
priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races,
colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages,
disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military,
protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements
of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening
process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military
Skills Translator to match your military experience with our
current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified
individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job
application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due
to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request
for Accommodation in the subject line.